Mountaineering, or mountain hiking, is a popular choice for adventure tourism. The challenging climb, the view of trees and wildlife, the fresh mountain air - all of these contribute to the fun and relaxation that mountaineering has to offer. However, the most important part of any mountaineering adventure tourism experience is the experience of seeing the world from the top, a feeling that gives one a pervading sense of success, and some realizations that may not occur anywhere else.

Welcome to Mount Apo, the tallest peak in the Philippine Islands, resting in the middle of the Mindanao, the land of promise. Rising for thousands of feet from sea level, it is widely known as the main natural structure that shields Davao City from otherwise life-threatening typhoons.

Amid a cloud-covered canopy, Apo has the richness of flora and fauna that is unique from all other mountains in the world. It shelters the world-famous Philippine Eagle, formerly known as the Monkey-Eating Eagle, now endangered and has found its fitting sanctuary is one of the most unreachable places in the world.

Unlike other barren, snow-covered mountains which have little else to show, Mount Apo has wonders that make it the perfect getaway not just for seasoned mountaineers but also those who are new to the sport. While on the way up and on the way down, one will also encounter the Malasita Falls and Kisinte Hot Springs, which can relieve any weary adventurer and make him appreciate not just the beauty of nature, but also realize the beauty life itself.

All does not end when one reaches the peak. With a legendary view of the Island of Mindanao, the hiker will see the magnificence in its utmost form. With a little knowledge of local history, seeing that this beautiful place is in the middle of an economically-depressed land, one will realize his blessedness in the grand scheme of things. One will better appreciate what he has in life, after seeing a snapshot of reality, on top of Mount Apo.

Welcome to my Blog

This Blog is intended to publish some of my news articles as a freelance journalist.

This has also been designed to show some other services I offer to friends and clients, among them are:1) Events organizing2) Organizing tours in Mindanao. It can be to tourist destinations in Southern Philippines or other specific locations and interests, like farms, media coverage in specific areas in the island, and the likes.3) Vehicle rental4) Photo and video documentary production5) Communications-related consulting jobs

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From The Times November 28, 2009 Philippines massacre: women thought they were safe. They were wrong Romy Elusfa in Ampatuan and Richard Lloyd Parry, Asia Editor He knew that powerful and ruthless people wanted him dead and that he was risking everything by standing for election — but to one practical challenge at least, Ismael Mangudadatu thought he had a solution. If he went in person to register as a candidate he would be inviting an attack by his enemies — the Ampatuan clan who have a near-monopoly on elected posts in the region. Instead, after consultation with his family and advisers, Mr Mangudadatu decided to send his wife and two sisters. The local police refused to provide an escort and the Philippines Army declined a request for protection. But how much harm could befall a group of women? For good measure, the two family lawyers who were women and Mr Mangudadatu’s aunt — who was pregnant, like one of his sisters — went along for the ride with other supporters and relatives. As a further safeguard, 27 journalists were invited. “Under our tradition, Muslim women are respected,” Mr Mangudadatu said. “They should not be harmed, just like innocent children and the elders. They will not harm us if journalists are watching.” Related Links Philippines leader 'shot massacre victims' Philippines massacre suspect arrested At 9.30am on Monday six minibuses began the drive from the town of Buluan to the provincial capital of Shariff Aguak. “This is women power in action,” Eden, Mr Mangudadatu’s sister, was heard to say. “Let’s help our men chart a better future for the province.” Within hours, she and her companions were dead. They had been bound, macheted, shot and buried in a mass grave. It is believed that some were raped. Political killings have been a part of life for centuries in the Philippines, and the southern island of Mindanao is the most violent of all. The attack, in which 57 people were killed, has raised questions about the relationship between the gangster clans such as the Ampatuan family and the highest levels of the Philippines metropolitan elite. Yesterday Andal Ampatuan Jr, the son of one of the most powerful men in Mindanao, was charged with seven counts of murder. “He was the one who gave the instructions,” Agnes Devanadera, the Justice Minister, said. “He was among those ... who killed the victims.” Until they were expelled this week, Mr Ampatuan and his father were important members of the ruling party of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the President. Her Government has also moved against members of its security forces suspected of being complicit in the violence. According to the national police chief, Jesus Verzosa, six senior officers, including the provincial chief and his deputy, twenty officers of the Ampatuan police station and about four hunded members of a militia loyal to the Ampatuan family are in custody. Many Filipinos remain sceptical about the prospects for improvement. “He [Ampatuan Jr] can be a sacrificial mouse to spare the leopards behind the crime,” one Maguindanao man told The Times. “The most powerful people among the Ampatuans are still in government.” Three journalists survived the attack because they stopped at their hotel when the convoy was setting out. “The lady at the front desk told us that a motorcycle-riding man armed with a pistol came to ask for the names of journalists who checked in at the hotel,” said Aquiles Zonio, of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. They tried calling colleagues, but the hold-up had already taken place. The convoy was stopped about an hour into its journey, near the town that bears the Ampatuan family name. Some victims were able to send texts reporting that they had been stopped by about a hundred armed men. Police Chief Superintendent Felicisimo Khu said: “Twenty-four corpses were all killed by a firing squad. They were buried in six layers. Every layer is covered with earth, making it more difficult for the retrieval operations. I have asked myself why one of them has no underwear.” Ms Devanadera said: “Even the private parts of the women were shot at. It was done practically to all the women. All the women had their zippers undone. The pants of some were pulled down. We have yet to determine whether they were raped.” According to Mr Khu, the gunmen intercepted two vehicles with six people who happened to be travelling on the same road at the same time, and killed them too. “Some sustained multiple gunshot wounds — as many as eight,” said Benito Molina, a forensic examiner at the scene. “To judge from the blood, some of the corpses may have been buried while still alive.” Cooking pots belonging to the killers were found at the scene and they had taken with them a mechanical digger bearing the name of the local government. Its engine was still running when soldiers arrived. The brutality appears to have backfired on the Ampatuan clan: the intensity of public anger will ensure that no politician in Manila will court their friendship publicly in the election in May. It is little compensation for the loss of his family, but Mr Mangudadatu’s election prospects have been strengthened. “Only death can stop me from running,” he said yesterday when he filed his candidature for the regional governorship of Maguindanao, which is held by the brother of Mr Ampatuan Jr. “This symbolises our freedom. I hope this will be the start of our liberation.” The scale of the massacre may be unique, but its story — of violence, clans and corruption — is repeated across the Philippines. Father Eduardo Vasquez, a priest in Shariff Aguak, said: “If powerful and equally armed families like the Mangudadatus were killed in such a barbaric manner, how much more for the ordinary civilians who have already been traumatised by the war?” Clan power Andal Ampatuan Sr has four wives and thirty children. He has a private army of several hundred, permitted under a presidential executive order His extended family dominates the region’s politics. One son, Zaldy, is governor of the Muslim Mindanao The provincial capital Maganoy was renamed Shariff Aguak after Mr Ampatuan’s late father One of his sons and a nephew are its mayor and vice-mayor

About Me

We ferry you from any point in Mindanao to wherever you want to go in the Philippines. We are based in Davao City but can pick you up from any of the ports in cities of Davao, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Cotabato and Butuan.
We also organize tours to any of the tourist attractions in Mindanao, including adventure climbs to Mt. Apo, the country's highest peak.
We organized and fix schedules, interviews and coverages of journalist and film-makers working on Mindanao stories.
We also organize tours to various tourist destinations in Mindanao.